In the Mix with AOD

S3 Ep14: Alcohol Awareness Month

Hey everyone! Wow, I can't believe how long it's been, and I'm so excited to be back in the studio recording another In the Mix podcast provided to you by the GVSU Alcohol & Other Drugs Services office. We have entered the month of April, which means we have made it to Alcohol Awareness Month. At this point in the semester, it’s a good time to look at our own drinking habits and see where we stand. In this episode, let’s look at the importance of Alcohol Awareness Month and how to handle tri...

S3 Ep13: Let's Be Smart With Marijuana

In this episode, we are going to be discussing marijuana, a substance growing in usage rates among college students. We are going to go into more detail about what exactly marijuana is, the effects to expect when experimenting, methods of consumption, the increase in potency over the course of decades, the dangers of mixing alcohol and marijuana, and when cannabis use disorder can develop. We have a jam packed episode so let’s get into it?

S3 Ep12: Checking In On Our Alcohol Use

April is almost upon us which means that Alcohol Awareness Month is almost here. This month is meant to focus on raising awareness about alcohol abuse and dependence. As this semester is starting to wind down, it’s a good time to look at our own drinking habits and see where we stand. In this episode we are going to discuss why National Alcohol Awareness Month is important, the differences between alcohol use, misuse, and abuse, other terms to use rather than “Alcoholic”, and finally, how to man...

S3 Ep11: St. Patty's Day Safety

It’s that time of year where we are all replacing our laker blue with shamrock green and celebrating St. Patrick’s Day! Considered to be one of the biggest drinking holidays of the year, St. Patrick’s Day is a time when college students love to go out and have a great time. In this episode, we are going to be discussing some safety tips to keep in mind when celebrating this St. Patrick’s Day, the resources that are available right here on the Grand Valley campus to help keep students safe, and a...

S3 Ep10: What Are Study Drugs?

With the added stress, turning to study drugs may seem like an easy option to help make the workload a little more bearable. We think that if these can help us just focus a little longer or stay up a few extra hours to get a bit more work done that it must be okay. However, these study drugs can have some harmful risks if they are being abused or misused by those without a prescriotion , and even those who are prescribed them. In this episode, we’re going to discuss what exactly these study drug...

S3 Ep9: Knowing When It's Time To Intervene

As the second semester kicks into full swing, it’s important to be looking out for your friends whose substance use may start to be concerning. In this episode we will be discussing the physical and psychological symptoms to be looking out for, when it’s time to intervene, how to prepare for this conversation, and some options of what could be said. Always remember that family and friends can play an important role in helping someone understand the impact of their substance use....

S3 Ep8: Fighting The Winter Blues

The days are shorter and gloomy with the lack of sun looming over us which can cause many to feel down and have very little motivation. In this episode, we’re going to discuss seasonal affective disorder, what causes this to happen, the symptoms that can occur, and ways to help treat it without self-medicating with substances.

S3 Ep7: Let's Talk Recovery

With 2022 just weeks away from coming to a close, now is a time to reflect on the semester and the year as a whole. This can be a time when people are thinking about their habits and whether or not they want or need to make a change. Substance use recovery can be on the minds of many. In this episode, we will be discussing the stages of change that occur during the journey of recovery, a reminder that relapse is a normal part of this journey, when it may be time to reach out for recovery support...

S3 Ep6: Overcoming Vaping

E-cigarettes entered the market in the early 2000’s and hit their peak popularity in 2014. With fruity flavors and the promise of less harmful effects compared to traditional cigarettes, there’s no question about the appeal vaping has for young adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, vaping in social settings or for fun has become increasingly more prevalent among college students as a way to obtain a buzz that is similar to the “high” that cigarettes offer....

S3 Ep5: The Science of Addiction

Now, it’s understood that addiction is a medical disorder that changes the brain and changes behavior. Many biological and environmental risk factors have been identified and the search has begun for the genetic variations that contribute to the development and progression of substance use disorders. Despite these advances, it’s important to recognize that we still don’t fully understand why some people develop an addiction or exactly how drugs change the brain to foster compulsive drug use. Her...

S3 Ep4: Halloween Safety Tips

Growing up, Halloween was all about who could get the most candy when out trick or treating, or who had the best witches or ghost costume in the neighborhood. Our parents used to watch over us as we begged for at least one scary movie on the night of Halloween. Boy have we come a long way from those years. We are not little witches and ghosts anymore as Halloween in college often turns into a week long holiday filled with endless parties, and horror themed everything. Despite parties being an an...

S3 Ep3: Understanding Coexisting Disorders

Mental illness can feel as though there is this weight on our shoulders keeping us from moving forward, and sometimes substance misuse, or even substance use disorder can exacerbate that weight. This combination of substance use disorder and another mental illness occurring at the same time is called coexisting disordersEither disorder can develop first, andhaving one doesn’t mean you will develop the other. In this episode we are going to dive deeper into substance use disorder, coexisting diso...

S3 Ep2: Alternatives to Weekend Parties

With the school year kicked into full swing and welcome week festivities calming down, the stress of school work is beginning to set in. Homework, quizzes, exams, study groups, on top of taking care of yourself physically and mentally AND having a social life?- it’s exhausting. With our weekdays being filled with classes and homework, it’s completely acceptable to take a much needed break from school on the weekends and go out with friends. It’s necessary to have a balance between an academic an...

S3 Ep1: Navigating Tailgating Season

Welcome back Lakers! The beginning of a new year is an exciting time and the school spirit is high among us all. As the athletic season kicks off, tailgating is back in full swing. Whether you are new to the tailgating scene or have previous experience, we are going to be navigating through tips and tricks on how to be safe and responsible with substance consumption this season.

S2 Ep11: Post Graduation Substance Use

The transition from college to the workplace may prove difficult. On the season final of season two, we'll discuss "maturing out" as students may feel overwhelmed when stepping into the workforce. From a feedback to relationship standpoint, college to the workplace proves to be different. With the inclusion of substance use, habits may be carried over from college that may need moderation.

S2 Ep10: Traditions and Social Culture of Alcohol

Alcohol has been apart of human history for a long time. Often traditions like celebrations enhance the use of drinking or certain environments set social norms for alcohol. Media exposure also entices people to drink as people see their favorite celebrities consume a certain alcohol brand.

S2 Ep9: Rave and Club Culture

Raves and clubs often involve substance use to enhance a person's experience. Today's episode we'll discuss the rise in popularity of raves and clubs, the most used substances at them and how to be safe if attending a rave or club.

S2 Ep8: Media Encourages Substance Use

S2 Ep7: Money Matters

Money can be a struggle for some students during college. Additional costs and expenses can affect a student's financial stability. We'll look at the added costs of substances and tips on managing money.

S2 Ep6: New Year, New Me

2022 has begun and many people have created New Year's Resolutions. For some, this means cutting down on substance use. We'll discuss how to create new habits without substances, why some habits fail, and provide example strategies.

S2 Ep5: Mixing Alcohol and Drugs

Adapting to college can steer students in different directions. Whether it's adapting to a new social life or dealing with less structure and more independence, students have easier access to alcohol and possibly drugs. Mixing the two substances together may stem from partying or it's used as a relaxation tool. We'll cover commonly mixed drugs, the effects it from mixing and why students mix substances.

S2 Ep4: Adderall Use Towards Finals

As the semester is coming to an end, finals, projects and paper due dates are approaching fast. It’s a stressful time for college students as one test may make or break their future. Many students could feel unprepared and not know how or what to study. This increased stress and anxiety leads to pulling all nighters, last minute studying, and cramming in a lot of school work in a short amount of time. This can push students over the edge to where they use the “study drug” Adderall to stay focuse...

S2 Ep3: So You Think You Can Drink?

Drinking is the first activity that comes to mind when hitting the “adult age” of 21. Typically, turning 21 happens in college as there’s a new rite of passage of becoming an emerging adult. Binge drinking is the most common activity. This episode will help students make choices when turning 21, what to expect at a bar or restaurant when ordering drinks and go over the types of alcoholic drinks.

S2 Ep2: Marijuana Motivations

Marijuana use is on the rise within the college environment especially for students aged 18 to 25. As Michigan legalized recreational use of marijuana, there’s rising motivations to use the substance, such as, it serves as a getaway from mental stress, used for boredom/experimentation purposes, and social pressures. Today’s episode will detail more about the possible effects of using marijuana and the financial costs of buying the product.

S2 Ep1: Peer Pressure Party

Peer pressure is often the culprit at social gatherings. Students heading into a new semester of school would like to form new connections and friendships, but sometimes students feel the need to drink to be part of a group as alcohol is an easy solution. Here we’ll share details on how to say no and build strategies to do so.

S1 Ep8: Opiate Opinions

In the season finale return guest, Dr. Baker, discusses the opiate crisis that he’s witnessed during his time as a board-certified addictionist. We’ll also be discussing the history of the drug, and what is missing from our current treatment options in the United States that prevent people from getting assistance in the first place.

S1 Ep7: Party Hard

*This podcast will also contain a discussion of sexual assault and non-consensual drugging.

S1 Ep6: Crack in the System

Coca and its products have fueled sleepless nights for centuries, but it’s refined form of cocaine has become much more than just a drug. From an ancient-anti-meal to a devastating epidemic, cocaine has become an important symbol we’ve projected our wider socio-political issues onto throughout the past century. Now with tainted supplies and the prominent role it plays in the War on Drugs, has anything changed?

S1 Ep5: Death, Taxes, and Alcohol

Alcohol is a drug that humans have used for millennia, and it's popularity hasn't waned any over the centuries. Despite knowing the health risks now, humans are drinking more than they ever have in the past thanks to the increased availability. So why don't we take them as seriously as we do other warnings?

S1 Ep4: Canna-bliss?

Cannabis is having its moment in the spotlight with a multi-trillion dollar industry emerging for recreational use. Despite growing legalization however, there's not only unanswered questions about what the plant does, but who gets what access to this growing legal market.